porpoise

views updated Jun 27 2018

por·poise / ˈpôrpəs/ • n. a small toothed whale with a low triangular dorsal fin and a blunt rounded snout. Its several species include the harbor (or common) porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) of the North Atlantic and North Pacific. • v. [intr.] move through the water like a porpoise, alternately rising above it and submerging.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

porpoise

views updated May 14 2018

porpoise XIV. ME. porpa(y)s, -poys — OF. po(u)rpois, -peis, -pais :- Rom. *porcopiscis, f. L. porcus swine, piscis FISH.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

porpoise

views updated May 11 2018

porpoise Small, toothed whale with a blunt snout. Found in most oceans, the best known is the common porpoise of the Northern Hemisphere. Its body is black above and white below. Length: to 1.5m (5ft). Family Delphinidae; species Phocaena phocaena.

World Encyclopedia

porpoise

views updated May 14 2018

porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) See PHOCOENIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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